Friday: Ready or not I had to have a go at a century ride to stay in the Imperial Century a Month challenge. Friday wasn't ideal since I had work the next day but it did at least give me a couple more days as a back up if I didn't make it.
I had my usual early start not long after 7am and set out using the Hawk to do the least hilly route I could think of. I haven't previously ridden the exact version of the route I came up with and I knew I'd need to add some extra distance to get the century. I started by heading into Shrewsbury, joining the riverside path then the old canal path to Uffington. I bypassed Upton Magna this time and headed straight for Atcham then Cross Houses, Berrington and Condover where I reckoned this start had given me 12 and a half miles extra compared to riding the direct way. This should be enough.... I thought any way.
From Condover I headed for Longnor where there was a pause for a second breakfast. It felt quite warm when I stopped here and I took off some layers - that was a mistake and they went back on pretty quick. Then it was on to Acton Burnell and Cressage. Quarter of the distance done already and going fairly well so far. I can't avoid climbing altogether and it's a long drag up through Eaton Constantine to Uppington. I'd really hoped to pick up the tailwind now but I'm not sure how much it was actually helping as I wasn't especially quick on the good downhill section on Bluebell Lane.
Progress was fairly good through Rodington Heath, Roden and on the way to Shawbury. This is all fairly flat riding which was good - shame the roads aren't a bit smoother - at least I could ride round the speed humps in Shawbury though. One car that overtook me hit them hard enough that the back wheels left the ground!
With 40 miles on the clock now it seemed an ideal time to stop for another snack at Moreton Corbet with a view of the castle ruins and the whine of helicopters in the background from the nearby airfield.
Moving on again I started with more flat riding for a bit before the long but gentle climbs on the way to Wem. This is a bit of a fast road but the traffic didn't cause me too much bother. An interesting looking (and sounding) American classic car came past twice on this stretch. Just a small pause in town for a photo before taking to some quieter lanes to Lowe, Northwood and Lyneal. I knew that it would be hillier than I'd like but I needed the miles so went through Welshampton and up to Coptiviney. There is a steep bit that I wasn't looking forward to but I got up it alright, if a little slowly.
From Ellesmere to Gobowen I wanted to avoid the marked cycle network route as I know how bad the road surface has got. reversing what I did last time I was here was the obvious choice but I turned off one junction too early and ended back up on the main road I'd not long turned off. A bit of a detour later I was back on track through Criftins and past Dudleston Hall. Another stop for lunch was taken in a gateway I'd stopped at on the last ride. A view over the fields from here but nothing special. 65 miles done which was good but the first doubts started to appear about whether I'd judged the distance right. I was a bit slow on the remaining lumpy lanes to Gobowen and enjoyed what I knew would be the last of the tailwind into the town centre.
I was a little apprehensive about the next section into Oswestry as I've had issues with cramp on these hills in the past. All went well this time and I headed through town and out via the industrial estates, which I haven't ridden for a long time. I caught a couple of cyclists on the way to Ball and decided not to overtake as my next turning was coming up soon. They turned off the same way, and again at the next junction so I overtook with a greeting. Next time I looked back I found the pair of them following closely.
They didn't follow after the next crossroads and I eased off a bit, but a little too late as my legs did cramp just after a short climb near Morton. Fortunately they recovered fairly quickly but it made me a bit more cautious.
Fortunately I had a good mile or two of mostly gentle downhill, which helped but I was running short of energy and the stops for drink and jelly babies became more frequent as I passed Llwyntidmon Hall and along the flat roads to Melverley. I realised that my mileage was going to be short. I added some distance by taking a left at The Royal Hill to take a longer way to Pentre and the same again after Wilcott to take a detour into Nesscliffe. This helped but by the time I reached Forton I realised I was still at least half a mile short, so turned right after the very slow Bicton climb and took the longer (but flatter) way through Gains Park, the new estate at Bowbrook, Nobold and Meole Brace. This did the trick and I was very glad to see the mileage roll past the century without having to find anything extra.
101.59 miles at 12.3 mph average. 3410 feet of climbing showing on Strava. Very hard work on the wrong choice of bike but it's done and I'm still in the challenge for another month.
Early light on the English Bridge.
Too early for drinks at The Mytton & Mermaid.
Looking to the Stretton hills from Lyons Lane. I'm liking how good the zoom is on my new (to me) camera.
View to the Wrekin from Cressage Bridge.
A couple of shots at Moreton Corbet Castle.
Heading through Wem.
The church at Welshampton with its unusual diaper pattern roof.
Passing under what's left of the Ellesmere to Whitchurch railway line.
Really flagging now and glad the road is flat. Taking a break on the way to Melverley.
